Sedona [Blu-ray]

The Perfect Place to Live
This film shows the immense beauty and the magical atmosphere of Sedona. A lighthearted drama - comedy, it climaxes with the perfect ending. The film amazingly captures the essence of many of the human characters who inhabit Sedona. As many of my friends said, "It is so-o-o Sedona!" I enjoyed the film tremendously and bought copies for everyone in my family.

Mountain Kat
I live here, and I get tired of people calling this the woo-woo capital of the world. There is more woo-woo going on in California than this little slice of heaven. People who actually live here have an afinity for the gorgeous red mountains, Oak Creek Canyon, zillions of stars at night,the lack of walled-in housing tracks and malls, the wildlife, the plethora of art, and the sound of wind in the trees at night along the canyon. We do have folks from the New Age community who try to explain all this beauty with the latest mumbo-jumbo du jour, but just watch the opening scenes from Sedona The Movie, and it will take your breath away. It does that every day when you live here. The movie was charming at first viewing, but much deeper and satisfying when you watch it again. My office is the building that was used as the salon where Frances has her Spiritual Pedicure, and I was expecting the movie to dissolve into Heebee JeeBee hijinks and farce after that, but it takes a turn into...

A lovely, lovely surprise
Being one of those killjoy skeptics, I mostly went to snicker -- I mean, this is SEDONA, Arizona, woo-woo capital of the known universe and parts beyond. C'mon now!

I am so very glad I did.

Was there woo-wooery? Some, and mostly played for fun, as our harried, no-nonsense heroine is confronted by one .... um, "colorful" character after another. And of course there are there-is-no-such-thing-as-coincidence coincidences, but without those, would there be any movies at all?

The script was fun, the direction spot-on, the actors well-cast and charming, and the cinematography...well, this is SEDONA Arizona after all. The visuals are just stunning.

All appendages up; the world needs more indie films like this one.

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No Retreat No Surrender

The absolute best of the "So Bad, It's Good" Movies
Where do I begin? This movie is one of those memorable martial arts sagas that only comes across once in a great while. Where else would I have learned that "karate is not to be used aggressively"?

This movie deals with the serious conflict in the late 80's when Russian crime syndicates attempted to take over several karate schools in the Western United States.

Anyways, this film is so full of classic material, I don't know where to start.

*The unbelievable sidekick, R.J. Madison who steals the show and breaks a few shelves with a freestyle combined with some break-dancing moves.

*A father's tough decision to leave his karate school to start a new life in Seattle as a bartender at a bar that does not allow dogs or "customers under the age of 2".

*R.J. & Jason declaring "No Retreat, No Surrender", only to be sent running away, seconds later by a 40-year-old Burger King employee.

*The controversial second coming of Bruce Lee (whose figure...

Awesome Movie!
I've compared both VHS and DVD versions of this movie and I must admit that other than one small scene between Kelly and the boy training being cut, this dvd version has a lot more to offer than the VHS version. There are a lot more deleted scenes that weren't in the VHS version fully restored to this dvd version. So If you still believe in karate movies and love them as I do, then you should buy this dvd movie. I think you won't be disappointed! Long live karate and Bruce Lee!!!!!!

"But this time it'll be different......Russian"
I love this movie, man, I really love this movie. I will forever love this screen gem. The lines are so, unforgetable. The acting, "Awesome." Van Damme: Ivan the Russian or Karl Brezdig as it says at the end, is without a doubt...Russian. "I'm the best, I'm the best!" R.J.: hip hop nice boy, breakin' master, "I dance a bit and I'm really quick." Jason: a total puss, but his never give up, never retreat, never surrender attitude makes him endureing. He also likes Bruce Lee. "Yaw, right!" Jason's dad, Mr. Stillwell: a very upset man at times, and once he get's going, there ain't no stoppin' him. Torn down by an evil guy who wants to take over karate studios for evil purposes while trying to teach his "Bruce Lee freak" of a son that this is "not Bruce Lee's Jeet Kun Do." Everytime he speaks it moves me and him too, he shakes, alot. Evil guy who smokes cigars and tells Ivan a.k.a. Karl what to do: evil guy, likes...

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Turkish Airlines Boeing 777-300ER [Blu-ray]

Good Video, Missing a Piece
Another of the Blu-Rays from Just Planes, this one takes us on only two flights, from Istanbul to Tokyo and back. While I prefer videos with more shorter flights, this one works well. Some of the material is just filler, to give it a good length, which rarely happens when we have short flights. There is excellent coverage of the takeoffs and landings, plus good in flight information. Flying Turkish is just like Southwest -- your dinner is cooked to order by the on-board chef -- oh wait, maybe not like Southwest. One huge flaw, however, is that they do a go around because of bad weather, but we lose the video! One second we are in descent a couple hundred feet up, and the next we are climbing up to the go around altitude! We miss the whole fun part, which is interesting since Just Planes had 4 -- FOUR -- cameras going. We assume, therefore, that something weird happened and they don't want us to see it! Overall, a fun video, but I want the missing minutes back!





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East Africa (Worlds Together)

Great for kids
This film is appealing to an audience of all ages. However, kids especially would enjoy seeing the lives led by children their own age in a vastly different setting. Thumbs up to another great film in a series by Elmer Hawkes.

East African Journey
East Africa is a beautifully made film, made even better by the musical accompaniment. The countries of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda feature vast diversities between modernized cities and primitive villages. The segment on the beautiful island of Zanzibar is not to be missed. The film is a delight for young and old alike.

Great series!
Extreme fan of this entire film series! It's a great way to introduce the awareness of other cultures into my daughter's life.

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No. 6: The Complete Collection [Blu-ray]

A world unto itself....
[This review is based on the No. 6 Blu-ray, which is already shipping.]

The 11 episode No. 6 anime is based on a dystopian young adult science fiction novel by Asano Atsuko. Its two main protagonists are 16-year-old boys, Shion and Nezumi (aka "Rat"). The backgrounds of these two could hardly be more disparate although they share a very strong bond from the time that first meet as 12-year-olds. Shion is a genius and one of No. 6's elites while Nezumi is equally brilliant but comes from a background of nightmarish suffering. Their childhoods have molded their vastly different personalities. Shion wants to save No. 6 from itself; Nezumi hates it and wants to destroy it.

Bleeding from a severe bullet wound and thinking that he is about to die, Nezumi sees Shion standing on the balcony outside his bedroom, screaming passionately into the face of a monster typhoon. With the last of his strength, Nezumi scales the wall to Shion's balcony and holds him at knifepoint...

Amazing series, and a great dub
As a long-time fan of the series, I'd say it's entirely worth the money. The anime has its weak points, trying to cover 9 volumes in only 11 episodes, but it is still a great series. The dub is well done, and I certainly will make good use of my DVDs, watching the series over and over again. It has a pretty powerful message to it, too.

Especially at the marked down price, I would buy this as soon as possible. It's worth a watch, and each rewatch brings out new, subtle details in the story. In short, amazing anime!

Love It
After reading some of the reviews I saw that some people may need to be specifically told what this series is about.

***Spoilers***

The story is about a love that is quite a bit deeper than a yaoi. This light novel series, turned anime series, is listed as shojo science fiction (shojo meaning girls between the ages of 10 and 18). The biggest thing I've seen in reviews that talk about it being boy's love in the literal sense. Yes, this novel has some hints that the two have some sort of attraction for one another, however this attraction is more along the lines of a deep-rooted bro-mance than yaoi (male X male sexual relationships in manga). There is a dance scene to elicit happiness, and two goodbye kisses that resemble what I've seen my European roommates use on their brothers before they leave. So while there are a lot of people who 'want' this series to be considered yaoi, it is not. Japanese manga/light novels have quite a few of these types of relationships...

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Chen Style Tai Chi Xinjia (New Frame) Routine One, Part 1 of 2

Awesome exercise
Clear forms and much easy to learn from this video since instructor demonstrates the forms in different position at different angle.





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Xtreme Calorie Burner! Indian to Girdwood.BLU_RAY EDITION Virtual Indoor Cycling Training / Spinning Fitness and Weight Loss Videos [Blu-ray]

Great ride


Great Fat Burner Workout
I have purchased several of the virtual reality videos from "Behind the Bars with Paul" and this is one of my favorites for burning calories. The workout is plenty long enough, to give burn off that extra slice of pizza. The virtual reality of the ride brings you into the ride and you can forget you are not actually out on the road. What beautiful country to put some miles in. The heads up information that is supplied on the screen keeps you honest in your effort and you can make it very real and in doing so. I would highly recommend any of Paul's videos wanting a great way to workout or just get in some indoor miles.

great workout
was really debating on this video or one by another company I am very pleased that I went with this one. There is tons of on screen info What gear to be in, cadence, and percent of max heart-rate. Very pleased will order more

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Qigong Fundamentals for Beginners

Easy to Follow
I came upon this and decided to watch to see what it was all about -- mostly curious. But as I watched it I found myself standing up and following along. It was easy to follow along and participate. I think it could be watched again and again both to improve on technique as well as for a guided exercise.

very good instruction
Master Tsao explains and demonstrates in a way that is easy to follow. The health benefits of qigong are priceless and practicing along with the video and music makes it more enjoyable. Thank you, Master Tsao.



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The Dictator - BANNED & UNRATED Version (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo in Limited Edition General Aladeen Packaging) (Amazon Exclusive)

LOL
First of all, I dont see why so many people have given this a bad review... You must know what you are getting into before you watch it. Obviously there will be racy situations, poor judgement, awkward moments, and be offensive. This movie is hilarious (to me) All you people who got offended watching to movie why didn't you just turn it off? Every time I go to the theater to watch one of his movies people always are walking out... I ask myself, why the heck did you come in the first place? Seriously, this movie is not for the easily offended.

"Are you having a boy or an abortion?"
Sacha Baron Cohen does a great acting job in his latest film, "The Dictator." The gags are mostly good and although some are tacky and racist (with a few being crude) it still held my attention on a very rough day for me because it works as a parody of dictatorships. There is little about the plot and the film that I can add to the reviews already posted here; but I can certainly vouch for other reviewers who write that the film is actually pretty good entertainment, a parody and nothing truly offensive even if Sacha Baron Cohen is very daring when it comes to topics for jokes and gags.

The plot is not terribly deep; but it moves along well and you shouldn't get bored. Sacha Baron Cohen (who plays the brutal dictator of the fictional, northern African country named Wadiya) surrounds himself with excellent actors all turning in convincing performances that make the film even funnier. Sir Ben Kingsley plays Tamir, the rightful heir to the dictatorship occupied by his...

Soo funny and satirical!
For what it was, it was hilarious! A complete satire on terrorism and dictatorships. I feel this is a very underated movie and Sacha Baron Cohen has once again proved his comedic genius. This is one for the ages and will go down in history, like Dr. Strangelove. As for all the bad ratings, what can you say, true greatness is often misunderstood by the masses. Artistic Genius!

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Intrigue in the Bakumatsu: Irohanihoheto 1 [Blu-ray]

Great flow of Japenses history in late 1860s with a twist (4.5 Stars)
The story centers around Yokohama and Edo (Tokyo) in the late 1860s (last Shogunate).
For a twist, evil presence itself as the Lord's Head controlling people for the past 2004 years.

I have enjoyed this series for many years. I had watched it three times.

The characters are well developed and presented with background either through the narrator or flashbacks.

It starts with messengers on their way to deliver a message, so that peace can reign, but resistance and an earthquake intervenes. Later, the main character Akidzuki is on a quest to rid the world of the Lord's Head. In his journey, he mets a troupe out for revenge. On the other side of the story is the struggle for power and the Lord's head is a mean to obtained the power. This is at the time in Japanese history that deals with the foreign influence (England and Netherlands).

In the first part you are presented with troupe and their goals, influential people during the times,...

Definitely Intrigued.
I won't get into any gory details of the story; the synopsis can be found elsewhere. Nor, can I say anything about the voice acting; since I watch subtitles. But, ann issue was raised about the 'quality' of the Blu-ray version. Granted; I'm not so sure there's a huge different between BD and DVD myself, but I'm in the habit of purchasing BD versions. There is quite a bit of the story that looks grainy; but for some reason, to me at least, it looks to be on purpose. And, artistically, I enjoy it. There are also moments of very crisp, clear, bright picture during other story moments.

I was impressed with Bakumatsu; it visually reminded me of a combination of Basilisk (Gonzo) -- with the interesting acting troupe & sword powers, House of Five Leaves (Manglobe) -- with the artwork and characters, and Sword of the Stranger (Bones) -- with the samurai-ship. It is some beautiful work by Sunrise (Code Gaess, My-HiME, etc). Great story telling, action-packed with no dull...

Anime was Good
its came in good condition with no problem it is an excellent anime and it was amazing to watch and see

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Super Healthy Meals For Your Family

Super knowledge for health :)
I love love love this dvd, its perfect for my family :) there are a lot of information which is new for me ... Thank you :)





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The Awakening of Hope: A DVD Study: Why We Practice a Common Faith

Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove's deepest book yet
In June of 2012 I was able to meet the author of The Awakening of Hope, Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove. I stayed near his home, visited frequently, eat meals with his family and community, played with their children and on numerous occasions talked with him and other members of the Rutba House Community which Wilson-Hartgrove is part of. I was deeply humbled by how down-to-earth they are.

Of particular importance, I met one individual in the community who, while living in the neighborhood, happened to be homeless. He moved into the Rutba community and now is a member. It is examples of love, reconciliation, justice, and hospitality like this that show how deeply true to the spirit of Christ folks on the Rutba Community are. To see it is to have fresh imagination breathed over you by God.

Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove's newest book The Awakening of Hope is a breath of fresh air along these same lines. He works to answer two questions. First, How is Christian hope born,...

A sweet and brilliant reminder
Sometimes even those of us who are deeply embedded in the missional community movement can forget why we do what we do. Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove's new book brilliantly describes why we pursue this common life and why it is far more than just a passing fad. - Rob Yackley, lead architect of NieuCommunities and co-author of Thin Places.

Community, Hope, and Revival
I am a big supporter of what has been called the "New Monastic Movement", which are groupings of communities of people that live together with a focus on Jesus teachings from the Sermon on the Mount. This one expression of Christianity is growing in recognition as a response to a new thing I believe God is doing among this generation.

In his most recent book, "The Awakening of Hope: Why We Practice a Common Faith", Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove writes "for people who have a hunch, whether you like the language of revival or not, that God is stirring a new movement in our world today" (p. 13). This new revival is based on community, hope, reflection and action trusting in God's providence.

Jonathan goes on to say that "the mission of the church is always to connect God's story with society's deep need" (p. 14). What deeper need is there than our Father's desired relationship with his creation? The Fall has harmed our divine relationship with our Creator, but also our...

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On-Back Tai Chi Therapy

wasn't what i thought it would be.
I thought there would be talking to tell you what to do, but you would already need to know what to do.

Excellent
It's easier than I thought it was going to be. He explains each motion and then does it repeatedly before moving on to the next one.



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Alice In The Navy

great old classic movie
I am 63 and when I was 18 I saw this movie. Brought back fond memories of summer vacations in Greece.

better in greek, but still watch it
It's an amusing little story, and you can watch it in english
and be entertained. The problem here is not so much in a cultural barrier as
in the way the movie is dubbed: Hollywood-bland and given stock readings
that take the life out of it. To make it even blander they have taken some liberties with the script... in the one section I saw, where the girl and guy
have a somewhat thoughtful exchange, it's turned it into Hollywood pablum..
So here's your choice: you can watch Alice in the Navy and listen to
this poor actress trying, or not at all trying, to be Aliki Vougiouklaki
or you can go on E-Bay and order a movie called Aliki sto Naftiko and hear the marvelous inimitable Aliki herself along with the excellent Greek cast.
Make sure you specify sub-titles, of course..
I only reviewed this because I hate to see it get one star..and it's a
little unfair to blame a movie entitled "Alice in the Navy" for the fact
that it's not...

Alice in the Navy
I have seen this video before and I expected it to be in greek not in english-I wish it was clear that it was dubbed very badly.
Very disappointing.

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Yang Style Tai Chi Fast Form

Where is the video?
I rented this video for a week, the order shows up, but the video is nowhere to be found among my Video Library.





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24 Hours To Kill

Very bad preview
This is not at all what I expected. I would have liked to see more of lebanon and better acting/story line. Very weak and dissatisfied.

Feels like 24 hours to finish watching
I still can't picture Mickey Rooney as a screen bad guy. Yet he is the heavy, a gold smuggler begging the airline crew to rescue him from the gang he's involved with. They capture and torture him, he escapes once more to be bumped off in the return flight. It's difficult to find any virtue to root for where evil dominates both sides of the drama. Lex Barker is wooden as the pilot, supposedly our good guy, but what good does he really do anyway?



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Laurel & Hardy Premium DVD box set with collector's items

One of their best, and don't bother looking for a plot
Hardy brings forgotten soldier Laurel home for dinner, and that's the entire plot. This very funny comedy has some great visual humor that can be enjoyed again and again. An excellent choice for first-time Laurel & Hardy viewers, and confirmed Laurel & Hardy fanatics will love this.

BEWARE! Misleading title given to this set. ONLY 4 Laurel AND Hardy P D films here!! The rest are their RARE solo films.
***PAL FORMAT NOT FOR U.S. PLAYERS*** It will play on computers.
Please do NOT be mislead by title of this DVD set! THIS IS NOT A COLLECTION OF LAUREL & HARDY FILMS!!!!!
The bulk of this is great LAUREL OR HARDY SOLO FILMS from the silent era!
Look at the picture of the box back which describes what is in this set and you will see!

The makers of this DVD actually state that these films have not been seen on DVD before, well maybe in Germany where this DVD is made.

Laurel & Hardy Public Domain films in this set: All have long been available on DVD, many in quality copies.
FLYING DEUCES
LUCKY DOG - a silent Stan Laurel comedy where Oliver Hardy briefly appears as a hold-up man.
MARCH OF THE WOODEN SOLDIERS - re-titling of "Babes In Toyland" (Not really Public Domain, but apparently Germany thinks it is.)
UTOPIA - re-titling of "Atol-K"

also included is the educational film which has a brief introduction by Laurel &...

Why oh why hasn't this been issued on DVD?
Why have the classic L&H features not come out on DVD? In any case, if you haven't seen Blockheads, you haven't lived.

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X-Men: The Complete Collection (X-Men / X2: X-Men United / X-Men: The Last Stand / X-Men Origins: Wolverine / X-Men: First Class) [Blu-ray]

The complete bundle of X-Men on Film
This is a bundle of five X-Men movies. Please note that this is not a box set, it is just the five movies sold together - each movie comes in its own separate blu-ray case. Video/audio quality varies by disc, but is generally excellent; these discs also include a variety of special features that take you behind the scenes of the making of the movies.

The X-Men movies hold and important place in film history; the first film in the series is often credited as the film that launched the golden age of comic book superheroes on film. Both the original X-Men and it's sequel, X2: X-Men United, are well regarded among audiences. The final film in the trilogy, X-Men: The Last Stand, is not nearly as good as its predecessors - but it's still a fun movie with great action sequences.

Also included in the bundle is the spin-off titled X-Men Origins: Wolverine, which looks at the early days of Logan (perhaps the most popular character in the franchise). And finally, X-Men:...

Just A Heads-up For Everyone
Note: I have two Blue-ray/ DVD players. One is "Region A or 1" (the norm in the US) and the other is "Region Free" so that I can play anything I want in it (including Region A's or 1's). My Panasonic "Region Free" is only about a year old.

These Blue-ray disks has great a picture & sound. How good the movie is I leave up to each person. However, I do have a WARNING for everyone.

I just discovered that some of the "Region A or 1" Blue-ray disks that I bought on "Amazon" will not play in my "Region Free" player. But they play just fine in "Region A or 1" player.

Most of the disks that will not play in my "Region Free" player will display a "Fox" back ground with a message that reads [This disc has been coded for Region A only and will not play in this machine. Please eject this disc and play on a Region A player.] on the screen after you insert the disk. The others that will not play in "Region Free" player have different backgrounds with a similar...

Buying individually is much cheaper!
I just bought the X-Men Trilogy boxed set, X-Men First Class, and X-Men Origins Wolverine on Blu Ray individually and it only cost $55.47. You're paying $12 extra for this set, and it doesn't even come with a nice box for the main trilogy.

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TT Isle of Man 2012 Blu-Ray + DVD

nice
You have too love it. As good as the rest of TT review revealed by North One. Everything what you need in very good quality even in DVD ver.





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Stott Pilates Back Care Repertoire DVD

intelligent exercise
This is actually all three on one DVD. A year ago, I was in great shape for being in my 40s, but bad disks have been doing me in. Physical therapy helped too, but I still wasn't better. This isn't the kind of exercise video that works up a sweat. But, I've been doing level 1 for a couple months, in and out of my back totally going out for a week at a time. By now, I can really identify the core muscles and feel them getting stronger. Moira talks about the different muscle groups and what they do and how they support you. Even after I've learned the routine, I keep noticing her making comments like "relax the shoulders" while you're working some other part. There is a lot of emphasis on good form and suggestions for fine-tuning. Many of the exercises are like those I learned from the physical therapist, but with a lot more information. I've tried level 2 a few times and look forward to doing it on a regular basis and hopefully level 3.
I've also been trying to...

GREAT INFORMATIONS!!!!!!
IF YOU ARE A CERTIFIED PILATES INSTRUCTOR, THEN THIS IS A MUST HAVE!

IN THIS DVD YOU GET 3 OLD BACK CARE TITLES ( ALTHOUGH THEY COULD MAKE A NEW ONES, AND NOT ONLY A REPACKED ISSUE-THAT'S WHY IT'S 4 STARS RATE), BUT THE BONUS CLIP HAS VERY VALUABLE INFORMATIONS FOR PROFESSIONALS, SO GO FOR IT - STOTT ROCKS!!!!!!!!!

several excellent sets of exercises and an extraordinary segment on rehab
this is a stott rehab/injury & special populations title. the beginner level programs (there are three) are a good place to start. stott always includes the five fundamental principles for rehab, but this disc also includes a bonus clip that explains how the muscles work together in different roles for dynamic posture -- especially at joint complexes. Pilates teachers (and students) and those involved in rehabilitation will benefit greatly from this video.

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Shelter Me

An Uplifting PBS Documentary Special: Great Personal Stories Involving Shelter Pets
The PBS documentary special "Shelter Me" is rather straightforward in its goal. Director Steven Latham wants your next pet to be adopted from a shelter. And why not? Every year, several million animals are put down in American shelters. There simply isn't enough room or sufficient resources to house these animals indefinitely. And yet, the demands for pets has never really wavered. From a personal standpoint, I've never understood this disconnect. It would never occur to me to NOT reach out to a shelter. These creatures need a home. The twist in the two part "Shelter Me" is that not only do those profiled rescue the animals, but in many ways these abandoned pets go on to rescue their new owners. It's a lovingly created film that will inspire and touch you. While there is much unpleasantness in the topic of animal shelters, this 57 minute feature focuses on some specific and positive personal stories. And if you love animals, this is certainly a must-see endeavor...

A Must To Watch
This movie is a must watch one. Especially with all the family present. It really touches your heart and makes you definitely want to make a "life-long" commitment. Yep folks, if you adopt a pet, whatever it is, please, please remember that for the life of that animal it's YOUR responsibility to love, feed, and take care of it. In turn it gives you love, protection, and commitment. I especially believe in animals touching those people in desperate need of both physical and mental support. You will definitely enjoy this movie. A definitely buy for my DVD collection.

Very touching tribute to newer avenues for shelter dogs
I wanted to see this show on PBS but I couldn't figure out the viewing schedule on the station in my area. I am highly into anything that is dog related so I had heard of all these different programs mentioned in this special before. It was still very interesting and moving to view these individual programs that were featured. What struck me as always was how deep an impact each of these dogs had on the trainers and then again on the people they were placed with. I definitely needed my Kleenex during the last part of the program-PTSD soldiers and their dogs.

I did buy the movie for download. I think just a rental would have sufficed unless I wanted to share the film with a friend.

So happy there a shelter dogs getting a chance to change someone's world.

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Chinese Health Qigong: 5 Animal Frolics for Beginners

Not as good as Luohan 13 forms and 8 pieces of Brocade.
Great instructor but not much to these exercises. See the other dvds from Jesse Tsao for much better exercises. Recommend trying those first.





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The Heathcliff and Dingbat Show

Best Cartoon Circa B.G.&F. (Before Garfield & Friends)!
Before "Garfield & Friends", there was "The Heathcliff & Dingbat Show", the only close-to-decent cartoon from Ruby-Spears Productions (besides Plastic Man in the pre-"Baby Plas" era.). Mel Blanc's voicing of the former still stands the test of time, and Dingbat and the Creeps seem to resemble the 3 Stooges in monster form in their never-ending quest for a job. My only 2 complaints: they excluded the original credits, both opening and closing, and it would've been nice to see a bonus featurette on Heathcliff's creator, the late great George Gately. Other than that, this collection is great!





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Battle at Shiloh: The Devil's Own Two Days [Blu-ray]

Different but excellent...
Good acting, crisp writing, nicely photographed, with interesting special features as well: what more can you want from a documentary about a civil war battle? I enjoyed this thoroughly. There is a lot here for your money: While "The Devil's Own Two Days" is only 54 minutes, the bonus features add up to at least that much time themselves. One looks at the re-enactment of the battle on its 150th anniversary, and that is the least interesting. There's one about the making of the project, and one about the Union Pacific train that took some of the re-enactors to the location, and another with a fine explanation of the battle. The "Devil's Own Two Days" aims to pack an emotional wallop, and does. This bonus doc describes the fight more as a history lesson, and a good one at that.





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Hanya: Portrait of a Pioneer

perfect
this is wonderful . i ordered this for my 89 yr old mother in law who danced in Colorado with Hanya. She loves it! Wonderful story of her life and contributions.

ps the first time i ordered this i received a an old scratched up DVD in a broken case. I returned that and reordered and was thrilled to get a brand new DVD in new condition as advertised ! Thx Amazon





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Titanic Collector's Edition (Four-Disc Combo: Blu-ray 3D / Blu-ray / Digital Copy) (Amazon Exclusive)

"...I'm Sorry I Didn't Build You A Better Ship Rose..." - TITANIC in 3D
*** THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE "TITANIC in 3D" MOVIE on BLU RAY ***

Holidaying in Ireland, I happened on the preview day of James Cameron's "Titanic in 3D" at the new Odeon Cinema in The Point Area of Dublin's refurbished docklands (or "The Quays" as they're known locally). We caught the first showing on 5 April 2012 - debuting on their all-bells-and-whistles "iSense Screen". "iSense" features razor sharp Real-3D imaging on a gigantic screen with state-of-the-art surround sound. So myself and the two kids popped along - donned the crazy specs - and started to watch. The sheer spectacle of what came next has prompted me to write this review...

I've seen about 10 films in 3D - some like "Despicable Me" have impressed and actually met the hype - the rest have either felt gimmicky or a downright hindrance - or worse a crass monetary exploitation. Even the new Aardman Animation feature film "The Pirates..." - which we'd seen some days earlier - is not great in 3D...

3D and Blu Ray quality
We all know the story so my review is for the quality of the blu ray (image quality) and 3D. The quality of the image is very impressive. The colors are vivid, a lot of contrast, very clear picture. It's hard to believe that this movie was converted from 2D to 3D because the 3D effect is one of the best I've ever seen. There was no noticeable ghosting. I had seen the 3D version of this movie in the theatre and thought it was good. However, it is even more impressive on my 3D TV (47 inch LG). The characters often appear to be with me in the room, they pop out of the screen. There is a lot of depth throughout the movie, which is also visable in darker scenes. The picture is amazing. You get the feeling that you are in the movie...when the boat sinks, you feel as if you're part of the action. I was very impressed with the quality of the 3D. I would recommend this to anyone who owns a 3D TV...worth every penny!

FINALLY..... THE DVD TREATMENT TITANIC ALWAYS DESERVED!!!
Finally, the most successful film in the film history gets the dvd treatment it deserves, bringing much respite to the fans all the over the world. Previously available barebones edition dvd has been replaced with a 3disc collector's edition dvd set, loaded with all those great never before seen stuff.

Here's what one can look forward to in this edition:

New high definition digital transfer with the main feature spread over two discs to get the highest possible picture and sound quality...and thankfully it does include DTS6.1 ES track!!!

Never before seen footage (approximately 58 minutes, alongwith the main film but it will be available through branching option on the disc unlike LOTR EXTENDED editions!!)

All-new making-of featurettes which will include time lapse footage of the massive set and studio construction.

Incredible Alternate Ending - "Brock's Epiphany"

29 Never-Before-Seen Deleted Scenes with Optional...

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Isadora Duncan Dance

Isadora still dances today !
This video is a must have for any Duncan fan. The dances are simple and elegant but at the same time difficult and powerful. The dance company presents one beautiful dance after another revealing the great genius of this revolutionary American artist. Yes, Isadora is still dancing today and this video proves it. The video only leaves you wanting more---where is part two? Enjoy!

Isadora Duncan - A source of Inspiration
Isadora Duncan was and still is a major source of inspiration for Modern Dance pioneers, including Anna Sokolow. Dancing with bare feet and freedom of movement being proud of what you are, with the chest, the neck and the head all lifted up are all indications of this pride.
Isadora Duncan is an example of having roots. She herself went back to ancient Greece not for imitation but as a source of inspiration and to encounter with masterworks that transcend their own period. In our cynical world where people do not remember what happened yesterday, the 4th generation of Isadoras remind us of the simplicity of a genius and our personal lost of inner beauty and innocence.

Isadora Rolls in Her Grave
How Sad! The magic of the Dance is missing. (Like painting by numbers.) Where is the movement of the Soul? Modern Dance later removed the soul from the body and left us with bodies moved by brains, there is no place in Duncan for this! Have these dancers found their "Motors?" Do they listen to music with their souls? No wonder Duncan Dance is not taken seriously by most Dancers these days, they have never seen the real thing! Irma Duncan

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Survivor 20: Heroes and Villains (5 Discs)

Keep the Survivor DVD's coming!
As other reviewers have said, I was hoping that Thailand and Amazon would be next, but any Survivor is good Survivor. I'll get the DVD's no matter which season. Those two next though please Amazon / CBS!
Heroes vs. Villains, although bogged down by a few problems, is actually one of my favourite seasons. Off the back of Tocantins and Samoa, I didn't think I'd be able to enjoy Survivor much anymore. Despite the return of Russell and the ridiculous amount of idols this season, I actually ended up really enjoying it, although Sandra should've had a much better edit pre-merge, seeing as she's the greatest winner ever (also the greatest two times winner as well did you know?).
On the plus side, giving the show a two hour premiere was a fantastic choice and gave us one of the best first episodes ever in the shows history. It also seems judging by the running time this set will be packed full of bonus footage, which makes this all the more worth the purchase. Keep the Survivor...

Great Season, High Quality Product
Summary
Pros:
+One of the best, most memorable seasons of Survivor in the show's 22-season run
+Lots of great extras
+10 discs and optimal DVD video quality for a TV show of this nature (16:9 widescreen)
+High-quality discs
+Well-designed sleeves
+Effective menus

Cons:
-Smaller printing on the backs of the DVD cases is too light and hard (but not impossible) to read
-No cardboard sleeve to contain the 3 DVD cases

EDIT 5/29/11:
Based on a question I got, I need to update my review to note that there ARE closed captions for the episodes. Most of the extras did not seem to have them, or I was unable to get them to work otherwise, but the show itself is captioned.

Overall Recommendation:
+Definite BUY for: (a) Survivor fans, (b) people who watched Survivor during its earlier seasons and would like to see some of their favorite players return, and (c) anyone curious about Survivor who hasn't really...

ALL SURVIVOR DVDS!!!
Survivor fans have been waiting many years for more seasons to come out on DVD. Very excited they've released Africa and Marquesas, and I'll definitely be pre-ordering Heroes vs. Villains. Hope that all the seasons in between will be released in time. They could put out like 2 a year and do very well with it. Survivor fans are a loyal bunch. Hoping for Thailand and Amazon next. And even though some viewers think Thailand wouldn't sell well, yes, it would. Or just package it as a box set of Amazon/Thailand together. ALL SEASONS NEED TO BE RELEASED....but if we have to pick and choose, I also hope China and Micronesia make the cut.

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JCVD Bloodsport (Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray) [Region Free]

"This was a man with a capital 'M'"
By accident I came across this film, which bills itself as "the true story behind Bloodsport" but is actually a documentary on the life and controversies of martial artist Frank Dux. For those of you who don't know, Dux supplied the story for the titular film, claiming it to be based on his own experiences of fighting in a secret international martial arts tournament. This is one of many larger-than-life claims Dux has made, leading him to contemporarily be labeled as a walking joke. This 68-minute documentary takes a look at the issue subjectively, telling stories mainly from Dux's point of view and therein becoming one of the few pro-Dux conceptions of the past two decades. Will it potentially alienate folks who have a set opinion on the man? - probably, but despite this and a few rough production aspects, it's still a very entertaining movie.

Much of the film acts as a timeline of Dux's life,...

A revealing look at Frank Dux, the inspiration for "Bloodsport."
If you're a fan of "Bloodsport" or Jean-Claude Van Damme in general, you might find this documentary as interesting as I did. This is the story of Frank Dux, told in documentary form through a series of interviews with Dux himself, vintage news clips showcasing his pre-"Bloodsport" fame and chronicling his diverse career/life. Some say Dux was truly a James Bond-type, but a closer fit might be towards the life of Bond's creator, Ian Fleming.

Here you'll learn about Dux's military background, martial arts achievements, "special assignments" and much more. In addition, Dux's relationship with Jean-Claude Van Damme is examined from the early days of "Bloodsport"'s production, through their professional falling out over "The Quest."

While it's not a perfect portrait of the man, the stories told here serve to flesh out Dux's legendary mystique, providing great insight on the films in question and, like any good documentary, the overall result is fairly objective...

Not what you think!
I received this DVD for my birthday. My son thought it was the movie Bloodsport staring JCVD, it's not; it's the life story of Frank Dux, the actual person that JVCD portrayed. It's kind of a let down when you expect to see the full length movie! Non the less I watched the entire DVD, learned a few things about Frank Dux, and added it to my DVD collection!

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Discoveries...America National Parks: Alaska's Wrangell-St Elias, America's Largest National Park [Blu-ray]

Like being there in person, Kennecott under-advertised
I live in Anchorage, Alaska and had some family up for a visit in June. I've always wanted to go on this trip from Anchorage to Valdez, stopping at Kennecott. I rented a 15 passenger van and spent 1 day each at Matanuska Glacier, Macarthy/Kennecott, and Valdez. It was truly a trip of a lifetime and I can't believe it took me 16 years to get around to it.

This video was like reliving the trip all over (minus the Matsu glacier and Valdez). It is really awesome and almost like being there. One thing my parents were wanting was a memento of the trip in video particularly McCarthy and Kennecott where we spent 1.5 days and was the highlight of the trip.

In the title of the video I said that it undersold Kennecott, what I meant was from the cover and description I didn't think they would spend much time at all on that area, I was more than pleasantly surprised as they went into great detail and that was the highlight of the video.

So, in summary, great video...





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Dragon Ball Z Kai: Season Three

DBZ Kai at its best
Kai has been a wonderful series. By cutting out the filler that was not part of the manga, Studio Toei has done a wonderful job bringing the series to Akira Toriyama's original vision. Gone is the ridiculous filler that created plot-holes and dragged the series on and on without a sign of resolution in sight. Granted, I am a fan of long stories and unabridged novels, but all the extra story to the original series was was just filler to pad out episodes. Now we have Kai, a series closer to the manga as it should have been from the start. Now the stories flow better and feel less bulky.

Season three is incredible. While the first sagas were pretty good, such as the Saiyan and Freeza Saga, this is where it picks up it's stride with the Trunks, Androids, and Cell Saga. The storytelling, though not deep, is compelling, dealing with time traveling, androids, Cell, and a vengeance from the past in the form of a mad scientist angry at Goku for something that happened in the...

Kick IT!
I love watching DBZ, but I hate that it takes 5 epeisodes for them to fight each other! Not so with this DVD..No BS here! My only complaint is Gohan's voice is done by someone else and it's not as good...blah

Best Version of DBZ!
From the get-go, this is the best version of DBZ, minus a few cast changes for main cast members (Gohan, Bulma, etc) From just hearing the theme song, you can tell it's great. This show is brilliantly filler-free, minus Gregory in the 1st season, but he doesn't affect the story much. I can't wait for season 4 & the Buu Saga, since their gonna come out some time in the next several months, or so. The newest animation threw me off at 1st, but it's easy to see the difference of over 20 years ago & today's Japanese animation.
It's also brilliantly re-written w/ new scripts that are VERY close to the Japanese scripts. I've been watching the episodes in English w/ the English subtitles for the Japanese dub & besides some more words & switching the words around, the English dub is the best for these anime shows. I only wish there was a different subtitle track for the English dub, but it's better than nothing. Basically, it's like a thesauraus, some of the lines are different in...

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Kite [Blu-ray]

(Uncut version) Uh Oh!
Okay, I saw Kite (Ki-tay) a couple years ago. Me and a friend rented it from Block Butser, this was the (Cut version), we both liked it. Returned it, and forgot about it for a couple years.

So, I decided this year that it was good enough to add to my collection. I had my mom call Fry's Electronics to see if they carried it. They did, she asked what section it was in, the guy said in the adult.

She gave me weird looks the whole night, but I assured her that it was adult because of sever violence and gore. After she had bought it for me, I noticed the cover changed.

"Kite Summery"

The uncut version was filled with extreme sexual/rape scenes, and disturbing content. The violence didn't bother me, but all the child molestation scenes were too much. (If you are not bothered by graphic sexual/rape situations then go ahead and by it, otherwise, 21 and up.)

Besides that, the animation was beautiful. The voices very well done, giving...

An Anime Classic
I've only been watching anime for close to 5 months, yet I've tried to drown myself in the classics. Kite is the kind of japanimation that makes you realize how truly deep this film genre goes. While the version sold here is only 45 minutes long, I must use the old adage "Quality not quantity." With extreme twists in storyline and incredible imaging, Kite is the kind of film that makes you want to have only more of it. As with any reasonably good anime, the story, while short, causes you to spend a fair amount of time reviewing the story in your mind and the messages laid within it. I must warn future Kite viewers though, that if you're looking to watch an up beat happy ending, humourous saturday morning type of anime, this is not that kind of film. Rather the movie leaves you feeling a bit depleted in spirit. Also you're kind of left hanging, which, I suppose is part of the reason why Kite is such an excellent anime.

--Also, if you watch the film "Mezzoforte"...

Terrific movie integrating true reflections human complexity
I have seen the original Japanese uncut version, which, since it's from Japan, contains much more sexual and gore content.

But don't be confused. This is not some cheap porno cartoon. The movie itself has a very twisted, but deep and many sad parts. The creator here has a movie that will really intrigue you as you watch this movie.

It's much deeper than an action movie. Tons of human emotions are involved.

Highly recommended for Anime Fans who are Adults. It's not appropriate for children.

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Koihime Muso: The Ultimate Collection

Koihime Muso
The Three Kingdom era of China started at the collapse of the Han Dynasty near the end of the second century,in western time, and,much as the western world's Dark Ages, legends and heros were born,heroic deeds performed and the stories have been retold for nearly two thousand years,with a few modifications,of course. In this series,all but one of the heroes are female,wearing costumes not relavent to any era,( quite frankly,the costumes are a bit idiotic)and all having names of characters of the several other series based,ever so loosley on the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.The era existed, the characters (mostly) existed but,in all likleyhood,not all the adventures really occured;in fact doubtful any really happened.Most of the names are the same as those in the Ikki Tousen series and those names and persons appear in other more factual stories of that era.
This series is not for those that are seeking historical knowledge,it is for entertainment and,to that end,it is...

Fantastic!
I've been waiting for a collection of this series for some time now. I ordered it and was delivered faster than I anticipated. Overall, a fantastic purchase.

Great Series, product display not good...
I went online and finally found a review on this ultimate collection and found out that the discs were all on one single spindle and like a cushion to keep them from moving around. I didn't like that but I wanted this series for so long and when I knew I could get all three for a lower price than spending much more for each one individually it was perfect. Anyway what I did was I ordered a 6 disc dvd case from One Stop Outlet here on Amazon.com, and got ten cases for a low price. Once I received both items I simply placed the discs in the nice 6 disc case and placed the cover art through the case sleeve. I did find out that the cover was a tad to big but all I needed to do was cut a small strip off the back cover without taking to much of the art off and simply slid it in there and it fit perfectly.

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Boardwalk Empire: The Complete Second Season (Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy)

HBO's Atlantic City Hit Raises The Drama, Tension, And Betrayal In A Season That Redefines Major Characters And Relationships
Certainly one of the most admired shows on the 2010 television schedule, HBO's "Boardwalk Empire" boasted the year's most impressive pedigree with Martin Scorsese taking a production credit and even directing the pilot episode (for which he won an Emmy). This brain child of Terrence Winter, a primary creative force and writer for "The Sopranos," adapted the Nelson Johnson non-fiction work chronicling the sordid history of Atlantic City into a masterful blend of fact and fantasy. Embraced by mainstream critics and viewers alike, "Boardwalk Empire" picked up a Golden Globe for Best Dramatic Program and acting honors for lead Steve Buscemi at both the Globes and the SAG awards for its debut season. And yet, if I'm being completely honest, while I issued my highest recommendation for the artistry of Season One--it always connected more with my intellectual side, but never quite my heart. Season Two, however, became my passion in 2011. With richer characterizations, plot developments...

WOW!
So, I pre-ordered this, with the rest of my TV, months ago. No clue that this was going to be as big a set as this was. The series and season are good, they're excellent, but I'll let others describe those. Me? I'm going to focus on the actual product here instead.

This box comes with 3 Blu-Ray discs, packaged by themselves. At the price paid for it, you'd think that would be all you get, considering it's a pretty standard price. HBO goes the extra mile though, by far. This set ALSO comes with (separately packaged) 2 double sided DVD's with all 12 episodes.. But wait, THERE'S MORE!!! HBO also throws in one code that allows you to download ALL episodes, PLUS 3 special features, ALL in HD off of iTunes.

I've got, in my collection, probably 30, 40 television shows, most with multiple seasons. NONE of them have given out this much for this little. I think the closest I've seen was Chuck and Grimm with Ultraviolet digital copies (which aren't horrible, but they're not...

HBO's Atlantic City Hit Raises The Drama, Tension, And Betrayal In A Season That Redefines Major Characters And Relationships
Certainly one of the most admired shows on the 2010 television schedule, HBO's "Boardwalk Empire" boasted the year's most impressive pedigree with Martin Scorsese taking a production credit and even directing the pilot episode (for which he won an Emmy). This brain child of Terrence Winter, a primary creative force and writer for "The Sopranos," adapted the Nelson Johnson non-fiction work chronicling the sordid history of Atlantic City into a masterful blend of fact and fantasy. Embraced by mainstream critics and viewers alike, "Boardwalk Empire" picked up a Golden Globe for Best Dramatic Program and acting honors for lead Steve Buscemi at both the Globes and the SAG awards for its debut season. And yet, if I'm being completely honest, while I issued my highest recommendation for the artistry of Season One--it always connected more with my intellectual side, but never quite my heart. Season Two, however, became my passion in 2011. With richer characterizations, plot developments...

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Die 12 Cellisten der Berliner Philharmoniker - Anniversary Concert & Documentary [Blu-ray]

A unique disc of unique attraction - terrific musical and entertainment value
This disc celebrates the 40th anniversary of `The 12 Cellists', the internationally renowned cello section of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. This chamber ensemble has a reputation of such magnitude that it almost, some would say certainly, eclipses that of the whole orchestra.

The ensemble was created almost by chance as an offshoot to a birthday party celebration. From this very informal beginning it rapidly grew in size and a repertoire had to be created. Initially this took the form of especially composed pieces but increasingly there has been an emphasis on arrangements of music from non-classical genres that is generally admired. These arrangements explore all the enormous possibilities of a group of cellists who appear to have limitless technical resources at their disposal as well as the almost equally limitless possibilities of cello sound. As such this extends far beyond the normal scope of cross-over music.

The concert itself was held in Berlin at...

Neither this, nor that, nor, well maybe the other
This blu-ray dvd started off well enough. Great picture, the sound is quite good, nothing to write home about, but quite alright. The first several offerings are unknown to me, all the better, and I assume one would call them "classical" music. Maybe "classical LITE"??? Then they get away from that and play other music. I really don't know much about classical cello music, but I love what I hear most of the time--Mischa Maisky, Yo-Yo Ma, and the new girl, Alisa Weilerstein--awesome!!!! This did not hit that funny bone. I really love rock cello, the woman playing cello with David Gilmour in Concert is awesome!!!! This music does not go there. And then the soprano came out and it was pretty much downhill from there for me. Sorry, just not my kind of music AT ALL. Perhaps it will be just exactly your cup of tea. It is not mine.
"As time goes by" and "Yesterday" are wonderful songs, as are others on this disc, but there is just not enough gristle in these covers--I had to...

Something different
I found the twelve cellisten 40th anniversry recording worth having as the group is quite unique, and the sound quality excellent. Congratula,tions.

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K-On: Season 2 Collection 2 [Blu-ray]

(4.5 stars) All good things must come to an end in this concluding second volume of season two of "K-On!"
All good things must come to an end and for the Light Music Club at Sakuragaoka Girl's High School, Yui, Ritsu, Mio and Tsumugi are graduating high school and will be moving on their own separate directions. And for sophomore Azusa, will she be left alone or will new members join the Light Music Club? Find out in "K-On! Season Two, Collection 2″!

VIDEO:

"K-ON!" is an anime series that is stylishly created but also features beautifully painted art backgrounds. Presented in 1080p High Definition (1:78:1 anamorphic widescreen), one thing that I love to see when it comes to anime series is the attention to detail when covering a modern setting.

A lot of TV series tend to not make the backgrounds of a city landscape so detailed and tend to put a lot of recycled trees, dirt and sky but "K-ON!", is not one of those anime series. There are scenes and also still images of natural settings that are beautifully painted and added to the series. There is...

amazing anime
Sometimes music and words come together so perfectly that the combination is far more powerful than either would be alone. In much the same way, the five members of the Sakuragaoka Girl's High School's Light Music Club have become far more than just a group of girls with similar interests; more, even, than just a group of friends. Through the medium of music they've found a common course in life, and whatever the future may bring, they know they can get through it if they stand together... which makes the coming end of the school year and the graduation of the four older members something that's dreaded as much as it's looked forward to.

In the meantime, however, there's so much going on it's as life has decided to throw everything it can at them. Going to music festivals won't be hard to swing, but running a marathon? That will be a stretch! Yearbook photos? The horror! And a school play with Mio and Ritsu cast as Romeo and Juliet? Ooo, awkward. Then, of course, there's...

Will not play the Japanese dialogue
Note that these discs will not play the Japanese dialogue. What's more, when you attempt to select the Japanese, English subtitles appear at the same time the English language plays. This appears to be a problem with the discs.

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Rooftop Prince

I loved this!
I enjoyed this drama immensely. At no point did the story slow down! The acting was wonderful (after the first episode, anyway -- the first episode was a little rough around the edges) and the story kept me guessing right up until the end.

Characters:
Yoochun played a very convincing crowned prince! Of course, he's had practice with period dramas -- SKKS, anyone? To be honest, that's why I picked up the drama in the first place. I knew he'd deliver.
I warmed up to Han Ji-Min's portrayal of Park Ha after a couple episodes. When you watch the series, the Park Ha in the first two episodes acts like a completely different person when compared to the Park Ha later on in the series. This isn't just about character growth -- I think there was a bit of a struggle in finding her character during the series. But the end result was not a disappointment!
The villains were great. A little too great. I really hated them! Sometimes I was a little... confused by what their...

I Watched This Drama Online
Let me tell you it is an emotional roller coaster. You fall in love with the characters and it really makes you want to keep watching. This is my favorite Korean drama and I can't wait for it to be released! I highly recommend this drama, it's the BEST new twist on how love is really forever <3

I MISS this Drama SOO bad. I'm addicted.
OMG. FIRST time ever in so many dramas I've seen where I WISH the lead actors dated in real life. The love and chemistry between the actors felt so real that I've read many articles and seen many BTS (behind-the-scene) footage for any hint of love after the drama. Three months has pass by and I'm still having withdrawals from missing everyone. The drama itself is the first drama written since the writer's wife had passed six years before filming. Even the letter from Yi Gak is what the writer had wanted to say to his wife.

This is a love comedy drama with lots of suspense and mystery. It's a little bit of everything. You'll be giggling with cute scenes, laughing til your stomach hurts, angry enough to throw a fit, or on edge questioning "WHATS NEXT??". It is not perfect; there are loose plots that needed to be tied up or details that needed further development. However, they had limited time and not enough episodes to film, especially when the lead male actor's...

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Melrose Place: The DVD Edition (4 Discs)

"A Show Canned Way Before It's Time"
I was a huge fan of FOX's "Melrose Place" in the nineties. That series alone help make the FOX network what it is today. So, it wasn't surprising when the new network, The CW, decided to bring "Melrose Place" back this time with an entirely new cast as well as some old favorites the fans hadn't seen since the original.

The new "Melrose Place", unfortunately, wasn't given a chance to survive in today's television market. If the series had been back on FOX I am sure the soap wouldn have survived. Having the series air on The CW, a network that has been struggling for survival, really killed its chances of gaining an audience of any kind.

The series was extremely well-done with beautiful actors and good scripts. And the fact that it took place in the same apartment building made it a must-see TV show. I found these new inhabitants even more interesting than the old characters on the original. The two best characters were Ella (Katie Cassidy), a beautiful bisexual...

A Worthy Successor
Oh, Melrose Place, how I missed you. I missed Amanda's b*tchiness. I missed Kimberly "wigging" out. I missed Michael turning from good to evil. I missed Brooke falling and hitting her head on the side of the pool. I missed Sydney sleeping with everybody.

When I heard that they were bringing back Melrose with some of the original characters, I was ELATED. It was the must-see show for me for the Fall 2009 TV season. Unfortunately, it didn't last long, being cancelled after one season. And just when I was getting to know (and love) all of the new characters. As the season went on, the plotlines got a little wackier and reminded me of Melrose Place of yesteryear. And the guest appearances by some of the former cast members of the old series made me absolutely giddy. Melrose Place was again a guilty pleasure for me.

Before the show was aired, I had read about some of the casting...

Why do the good ones get cancelled?
The star of this has to be hands down Katie Cassidy as Ella Simms. Watching her brought back many fond memories of the original Heather Locklear character Amanda. I completely agree with what one reviewer said about Ashlee Simpson, which was, heard she was on it and said UGH! but then watched it and said OOOOH. She was great as violet, the seemingly nice girl with a dark twist. It was also so great to Laura Leighton aka Sydney Andrews again; I still can't get the opening scene of the series out of my head (you will have to watch it). They really did a good job of combining the old and new characters without feeling forced. The only obvious leap was bringing back Amanda, and let me just say, Bravo to that. You knew ratings were low when they finally brought back the queen b***h, and all I have to say is they should have done that in the beginning, however the series would be called Ella vs. Amanda rather than Melrose Place. The series ended too quickly; they were just about to finish...

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Mark Chesnutt: Your Room [Blu-ray]

A "private" Mark Chesnutt country music concert in HD video and GREAT sound with MANY audio options!
About 10 years ago I reviewed a DVD from Producer Mark Waldrep's AIX record label, featuring string-wizard John McEuen. It featured HD sound and HD video, as well as a feature that let you choose the camera angle. (All this was before the advent of Bluray.)

This new BD - apparently the latest release on AIX - takes sound engineer Waldrep's product to an even higher level (technically) and makes this the best hi-tech "video disc" for "New Country" music fans. Most of the DVDs from country artists consist of music videos made for CMT or GAC cable networks or concerts filmed in front of live cheering audiences. Waldrep wanted this release to be different. It is, and it's great! It is only being released as a Bluray so you'll need a BD player to watch it.

According to Waldrep's three-page essay enclosed in the package - he was hired to shoot a video for the "Outlaw" album by the hit-making Chesnutt at Billy Bob's in Dallas and proposed to the singer that they do a...

Brilliant
I've loved Mark's music for years and although I'm over the moon to have his brilliant music on Blu-ray for the excellent sound and picture I would also love a DVD version to play in my non Blu-ray players and for the many fans who don't have a Blu-ray player.

Flawless
Mark Chesnut proves time and time again. Why he stands head and shoulders above the rest. Once again he keeps true to him self and his music. Your Room is much more then anyone could every expect. I hope he does all of his music in the 3D blu-ray flormat. I have veiwed Your Room well over twenty seven times, and it is never tireless. His band is never miss there mark. I suggest you order it Next Day Delivery.

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Blood Money [Blu-ray]

I'M WATCHING YOU
The plot didn't make a lot of sense. The Chinese mafia want to deal Colombian cocaine in Shanghai. They travel to Miami to make a deal with the Colombian cartel. They claim the street value of cocaine is twice what it is in the US. The Colombians balk, ethnic slurs are exchanged. People die. The next thing you know drugs are being shipped to Chinatown in Sydney, Australia via Miami.

When a woman is kidnapped, Zheng Liu is hired to get her back. At this point the film becomes a free for all. For some reason Latinos can't work with the Chinese.

The acting left a lot to be desired as it is in most drug/crime movies where everyone plays the ultimate tough guy. Zheng Liu, the star of the film is a subplot for most of the movie. He uses high tech gadgets and old fighting techniques. No CG fighting effects. There are better films to watch.

PARENTAL GUIDE: F-bombs, nudity, no sex.

Not nearly as cool as it sounds
I never thought I'd ever go to amazon to write a one star review, but after watching this movie, I felt compelled. Most one star reviews are full of capital letters, misspelled words, and childish insults. I'm going to try to make this more intelligent than that.

I rented this movie because the back of the box made it sound awesome. It described the lead actor, Zheng Liu, as "the next Bruce Lee" and an "international martial arts star". If this is true, then this wasn't the movie to show it. It also said, "No CGI. No Stuntmen." One of the first things you see in the movie is an explosion that looks like it belongs in a youtube video. A few scenes later, you see Zheng Liu throwing needles that look like they were made by Pixar. I don't have a problem with CGI, but I don't appreciate being lied to. As far as no stuntmen, that may be true, but there's not any big stunts anyway. When I see something specifically say, "No stuntmen" I think, "Oh cool, this'll be like...

Good action scenes, great Zheng Liu, plot too complicated
I just saw the movie, and I have to say that I was impressed by most of the action scenes, as they look very real, and there is a lot of action on this movie.
The main actor Zheng Liu, first time I ever see him, looks impressive on the fighting scenes and for sure, is not the next Bruce Lee as the people says cause Bruce is only one, but has a lot o potencial to be an upcoming Kung-Fu star. Definitely I'm hoping to see more of him in the near future.
Also I found the plot of the movie too complicated and too many twists for an action-fighting film, wich has made me confused sometimes.
About acting.. nothing impresive but nothing wrong... still fun and worthed to watch, recommended for seat on the couch and enjoy some fresh good action.

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Texhnolyze: Complete Box Set (Classic)

Sci Fi from the dark side
Before I became enlightend to enjoy many different genres of anime, the word "anime" to me used to signify edgy, controversial, and usually violent animation coming from Japan. Shows I saw on grainy video tapes imported from Japan had a "cool factor" in their violent edginess and being so counter to mainstream entertainment.

Recently watching this series brought all those old feelings of what I originally loved about anime so many years ago. From the opening credits with tecnho music, you know you are going for an edgy ride with this show. The most striking aspect of the series, especially in the beginning is there is almost no dialog at all. The first handful of episodes are almost completely visual, with no more than a few lines of dialog spoken by a few characters. This makes figuring out what the heck is going on rather challenging, but I believe that is the intended fun of this show - figuring just what the heck is going on in some other altered world without anyone...

Review of the Complete Boxed Set of Texhnolyze
Texhnolyze is one of my favorite anime. It was the promise of incredible entertainment like this that convinced me to start watching anime in the first place.

Texhnolyze is science fiction, but unlike typical science fiction anime, Texhnolyze is brutal, gritty, realistic, and serious. There aren't giant pilot-able robots, alien races, or girls with unnatural hair color, but instead a story filled with themes such as man vs. machine, human greed and selfishness, and the beauty of life. And while these themes have certainly been explored before, Texhnolyze sets itself apart through its artistically rendered emotional, cinematic power. This is a work of Yoshitoshi ABe after all.

The plot chronicles the anarchistic collapse of the underground city of Lux, where three factions vie for control. The Orgono, a mafia-esque group of businessmen and political leaders that use armed thugs and alliances to control Lux, the Salvation Union, a union of middle class laborers...

dark sci-fi
this anime is a great dark sci-fi show it is part end of the world,part bionic man,and part bloodey battle. this is allso a thinking man's story no dialog for cver a minute after the story opens this is on purpose to let you take this darkworld in. i thought this was very good if you like sci-fi,anime, or action i think you will like this itis very much it is allso a story. about the human spirt as well this is dark and bloodey so it is not for little kids or the squimish.

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Europakonzert 2006 [Blu-ray]

A fine concert where the improvement of clarity achieved by the Blu-ray is especially apparent
This Europe Concert from 2006 given by Barenboim and the Berlin Philharmonic is relatively unusual within the series because it is devoted exclusively to one composer and also because it does not present the BPO at its full complement.

The city of Prague was chosen for this concert to mark the 250th anniversary of Mozart's birth. Mozart had been closely identified, not only with Prague, but also with the Estates Theatre where this concert was held and which had previously seen acclaimed performances of Figaro, La Clemenza di Tito and the first performance of Don Giovanni during Mozart's life.

Barenboim, regardless of the reduced size of the orchestra, still delivers interpretations which can still be described as `fairly large scale' Mozart in concept and is thus some distance from the the 'authentic instruments' concept of the Mozartian sound world. The interpretation of all the music is generally robust with strong bass lines supporting rich and powerful upper...

excellent sound and good interpretation. Video is good too.
well done. video, audio and interpretation. I highly recommend it to any body with a good sound system. The price is right too.



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Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy)

A Little family gratitude for all your kind reviews
Hello All
I was just wandering through amazon and came upon this section and was just delighted to find "A&C meet Frankenstein" getting such nice compliments.
I would like to let you all know that my father Robert Lees and his writing partner and an old family friend, Freddy Rinaldo, wrote this film.
Freddy is no longer with us but my father is still, all of 92 years old, and is thrilled that after all these years you all like the film.
A little addenda:
You all must remember that A&C were essentially radio comedians,
and it was from his training in radio that Costello had the bad habit of coming unglued if he didn't consistantly get laughs from the crew for each gag each take, no matter how many takes were involved in getting a scene right.. For him the crew was a live audience, so if he didn't take the house down, he would put in another piece of business and reinvent the scene on the spot until he did - and he was very inventive! I...

Far and away the best Abbott & Costello Horror-Comedy
Lou Costello was always the master of strangulated, speechless terror, so putting Abbott & Costello in a movie with the Wolfman, Dracula and the Frankenstein Monster was inspired. Getting Lon Chaney, Jr., Bela Lugosi and Glenn Strange to play the Terror Trio was just icing on the cake. This time around Bud and Lou play Chick Young and Wilbur Gray, a pair of railroad baggage clerks in LaMiranda, Florida, who have to deliver two large crates to MacDougal's House of Horrors. Inside are Dracula and the Frankenstein Monster, but of course they escape. To make things worse, Wilbur's beautiful girlfriend, Sandra Mornay (Lenore Aubert), is really a mad scientist who wants to put Wilbur's brain in the Monster. Fortunately, Lawrence Talbot (Chaney) has arrived from Europe on the trail of the monsters.

It is rather amazing how long this film goes with Wilbur being the only one to spot the monsters. The comedy in this movie is something of a departure for the comedy team, because it...

Lugosi, Chaney Jr. and A & C at their best.
Abbott and Costello's best known and perhaps best film has them meeting Lon Chaney Jr. as the Wolfman, then Bela Lugosi as Dracula, then Glenn Strange as Frankenstein and then. . . . The plot revolves around the idea that the perfect new brain for the Monster should be a simple one -on that's easy to control. Lou Costello's is simple enough. The slapstick begins when Bud and Lou refuse to believe Larry Talbot (Lon) is the wolfman. The best non-monster bits are variations on what Bud and Lou did in the still funny, Hold That Ghost. You will note that Dracula can be seen in mirrors and that he would not have really died from a long fall (that's not being left out in the sun or getting a stake in the heart). But who cares, this is a silly, enjoyable slapstick that gives us both Lon Chaney Jr. and Bela Lugosi doing a wonderful job acting straight against the boy's antics. Glenn Strange is the Monster. Vincent Price does a cameo. (1948 - Directed by Charles Barton).

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Streets of San Francisco: Season Four, Vol. 2

You Can't Beat "The Streets..." for some good Crime Drama
I've been a huge fan of "The Streets Of San Francisco" since the 70's when it first aired. Since CBS DVD decided to put it out on DVD I've been collecting them all, and so far no disc has left me disappointed. Season Four Vol 2 is certainly no exception! The stories as always are well written, and the scenery is great, San Fran in the 70's was a gritty place and it fit most of the stories quite well. I bought S4V1 at the same time and feel the same way about that disc. CBS DVD always does a great job with the picture and sound quality, both are great. There is graininess in the opening sequence of this show, but that is do to all of the special effects used in it, I'd imagine that several generations of film were used in the opening and the quality just could not be maintained. The shows themselves look pristine though. Thank you CBS for releasing the rest of the series after such a long wait! Now I still have to get S5, even though it will be without Michael Douglas.

Great detective series in gorgeous San Francisco
This 3DVD set is volume two of the 4th season (1975-1976) of the wonderful TV series The Streets of San Francisco. It starred two terrific actors, the powerful Karl Malden and handsome young Michael Douglas, the latter on the verge of movie stardom (this would be his last season on the show). The backdrop of San Francisco with all its beautiful scenery & sights was truly breathtaking. The following is a list of episodes in this set, along with their guest stars:

Disc 1

Spooks For Sale - Andrew Robinson, Fritz Weaver
Most Likely To Succeed - Kristoffer Tabori, Patricia Smith
Police Buff - Bill Bixby, Christopher Stone
The Honorable Profession - Robert Reed, Shelly Novack

Disc 2

Requiem For Murder - Richard Basehart, Fionnuala Flanagan
Underground - Jason Evers, Claudia Jennings
Judgment Day - Lynnette Mettey, Michael Burns
Clown of Death - David Birney, Madlyn Rhue

Disc 3

Superstar - Paul...

John
Excellent' good acting and plenty of excitement. Would buy season five. I had good luck with my Amazon experience as I always do.

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